A 23-year-old college student in Kerala had been confirmed to be infected with Nipah virus, Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja said on 4 June.
Out of 86 patients suspected of Nipah Virus, 2 were admitted. The two nurses who treated the patient initially had also reported sore throat and fever. The sample of a second patient had also been sent to NIV Alappuzha, Manipal Laboratory & NIV Pune.
K.K. Shailaja also appealed to social media users to not spread panic among the public, and said that stringent action would be taken against those indulging in such acts.
Here’re the latest updates of the Nipah Virus outbreak in Kerala:
Nipah Virus Resurfaces in Kerala, State on High Alert, Live Updates
Sample of 7th Person Tested Negative for Nipah
According to the news website of Malayalam newspaper Mathrubhumi, the sample of the seventh person has also tested negative for Nipah virus. This comes as a major relief after the diagnosis of a 23-year-old man who is infected with the deadly virus.
Kerala Health Minister KK Shylaja, who is currently in Delhi to meet Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said, “There is no need for any concern. Result of the sample of the seventh person is also negative.”
Rajasthan Health Min Asks Officials to Remain Alert
Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma Thursday gave directions to health officials for the prevention and control of Nipah in the state, days after the deadly virus was detected in Kerala.
Addressing a meeting here on Nipah virus and Glanders disease in horses, Sharma directed officials to send a team to National Virology Laboratory, Pune for training to examine the samples skilfully.
Sharma said that directions have been given to Rapid Response Team to remain alert and take necessary action if any suspected case is identified.
He said that people from Kerala living in Rajasthan should take special precautions.
Tamil Nadu to Screen Nipah Infected Patients on Kerala Border
The Tamil Nadu government has set up medical teams at the checkposts in the seven districts bordering Kerala to screen for Nipah virus infected persons, said a senior official of the Public Health Department.
No cases of Nipah virus has been reported in Tamil Nadu this year or even last year. However, as a precautionary against its spread, medical teams have been set up at checkposts in the districts bordering Kerala to screen people.P Vadivelan, Additional Director of the Department
According to Vadivelan, the medical team will look out for persons with high fever and in confused state of mind, the symptoms of Nipah virus fever. Vadivelan said the doctors in the border districts have been given detailed guidelines on the symptoms of the disease and how to handle the patients.